8 Creepy Crawlies

The centipede wriggled on the ground as it moved in a way that Agis found extremely repulsive.

--Oh, that's nasty. That's really nasty...

He stood there for a second, bringing a hand to his mouth. Those legs, so many legs. It was always the long creepy crawlies that grossed out Agis. He knew there were things like giant centipedes down here, so he wasn't surprised to see one, but he still hated those long bodies and a massive number of legs.

As Agis debated to leave and fight something else, two other centipedes crawled out of a side tunnel near the first centipede. They gathered for what was only a slight second, and then turned to move towards Agis.

--They didn't...no surely they didn't find me. I mean, stealth skill is active and I'm behind this big ass rock. Please just leave me alone nasty crawly bugs.

Looking up, Agis realized his spear was sticking out above the rock as if waving saying, "Here I am!".

--Damn it...

All three were picking up pace and moving closer and closer. They were in a near-perfect straight line going straight to Agis.

--I'm so not okay with this…

Queasiness in his stomach, Agis booked it down another side tunnel to his left. By using his sprint skill he was able to gain a gap at first, but his leg and chest were still bothering him. The creepy crawly 'man-eaters' were closing the distance behind him.

--Hunting was one thing, but running like this for an extended period of time is just going to wear me down. I don't think I'll be able to fight if I wear myself out like this...and I REFUSE to become food for these things!

Earlier, he rested for what seemed like six hours after killing the gecko. The bleeding on his leg stopped and scabbed over, but it was still really tender. Luckily the cut wasn't very deep in the first place. His chest; however, was in a lot of pain. Not only was it tender, but he knew it was keeping him from running as fast as he could. He couldn't keep his breath, constantly taking in deep breaths.

--I probably should have waited till tomorrow to hunt. At the rate I was healing, I probably would have been good to go by tomorrow. But I really thought I'd be able to find something alone to hunt. Obviously a stupid mistake. Mom would scold me for this one...

He glanced behind him as three furious and hungry centipedes prepared to chow down on his juicy human body. He couldn't outrun them, he knew that. But he also couldn't think of a plan where he didn't end up in a mouth somewhere. That's when his eye caught something down a tunnel that forked to the right just up ahead. If he was right, he knew it was a glorious thing. Hoping that he saw correctly, Agis beelined it at full speed. His chest was getting heavier and his leg began to give, but he pushed on. He was so close to surviving this mistake, he just needed to go a few more meters.

--Not too much farther!

20 meters...15...5…

--Jump!

Agis dove straight through an opening in a net-like substance the covered the dungeon tunnel from wall to wall. He made it through, spear in hand, and rolled to his feet on the other side. Quickly finding a place to hide. The three centipedes were not so lucky.

The first of the three ran full speed into the net-like material, instantly becoming trapped and bound. The two following ran straight into the first, flipping into the net and becoming even more entangled than the first.

--Spider webs...now spiders I can get behind. So freaking cool! Sometimes I wish I could make sticky web out of my ass...wait, no...scratch that. That doesn't sound pleasant.

The three centipedes wriggled on the web only causing themselves to become more and more tangled. During their panic, a large, red-figure emerged from a crack in the ceiling. With eight long legs that ended in a point, and a red, slightly fuzzy, body, the spider gracefully descended onto its new prey.

--Okay, keep stealth up and hide for a moment. Please don't notice me Mr. Spider. I brought you a good meal. Friends right?

He was positive the spider would try and eat him the moment it knew he was there. He also knew that he could most likely kill it if he could get the jump on it. The problem was the web. If he ended up tangled in that, it didn't matter if he killed the spider or not. Something would eventually find him and eat him.

The spider descended and took its first prey. With a large and crunchy bite, the first centipede squirmed in immense pain, but eventually came to a standstill. Food for the spider. After killing its remaining two prey, it dragged the first centipede up to the ceiling for a feast.

It was disgusting to see it moving around, but to see it eaten was much, much worse. Agis wanted to puke so bad that the thought of dying because he gave away his position didn't seem like a bad trade-off.

The spider finished up and moved to the next one, dragging it up to the ceiling again and feasting. Agis had his plan. The spider kept showing its underside to him. It was by far easier to penetrate than the tough carapace on its back. All he had to do was wait for it to finish eating those disgusting centipedes, and he could go in for the kill.

It only took about five or ten minutes for the spider to fully engulf the two centipedes. It was ridiculous to see it eat like that. Each centipede was like a hairy noodle to just be slurped down. Soon after, the spider descended again to grab the last centipede, and that's when Agis made his move.

Using dash and then lunge attack, he covered the distance between his hiding spot and the spider in just a second. The spider saw Agis coming, but couldn't move in time to get out of the way. Agis pushed all his strength into the spear and thrusted it forward.

*thump*

It was a surprisingly deep sound as the spearhead inserted through the body of the spider and into the back of its head. Green blood began to pour out onto the ground and the spider fell limp in its own web. A killing blow.

[You have defeated level 1 Sollertia Aranea]

[You have achieved level 3, one skill point awarded]

--Hell ya!